Colorado River Indian Tribes

The Colorado River Indian Tribes (Mohave: Aha Havasuu, Navajo: Tó Ntsʼósíkooh Bibąąhgi Bitsįʼ Yishtłizhii Bináhásdzo) is a federally recognized tribe made up of four different groups: the Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi, and Navajo. These groups live together on the Colorado River Indian Reservation. There are about 4,277 people who are members of the tribe.

Many more people, around 9,485, live on the reservation. This number comes from data collected between 2012 and 2016. The tribe works to keep its traditions alive while also dealing with modern challenges. The Colorado River Indian Tribes have a rich history and culture that continues to grow today.

Reservation

The Colorado River Indian Reservation is a special area for Native American people in the southwest part of the United States. Most of the land is in western La Paz County, Arizona, with some parts in southeastern San Bernardino and northeastern Riverside counties, California. The reservation covers an area of 1,119.4445 km² (432.22 sq mi), and its main town is Parker, Arizona. According to the 2000 census, about 9,201 people lived there.

Government

The Colorado River Indian Tribes are led by a group of nine elected members, along with a chairwoman, vice chairman, secretary, and treasurer. These leaders help make important decisions for the tribe. Each of the four groups within the tribe keeps its own special traditions, beliefs, and identity.

The current leaders include:

• Chairwoman: Amelia Flores
• Vice Chairman: Dwight Lomayesva
• Tribal Secretary: Josephine Tahbo
• Tribal Treasurer: Anisa Patch
• Council Members: William “Billy” Beeson, Thomas "Tommy" Drennan, Raeanne Patch, Tracey Quillen, and Vanessa Welch

History

The Colorado River Indian Reservation was created on March 3, 1865, for tribes living along the river and its smaller rivers. It started with the Mohave and Chemehuevi tribes, and later included the Hopi and Navajo tribes in 1945. During World War II, part of the reservation was used for a camp to hold Japanese-American families, even though the tribal leaders did not agree to this. The camp closed in 1945, and the land was given back to the tribes. In 1966, the tribal seal was designed with four feathers to stand for the four tribes, and a flag was created and officially adopted in 1979.

Economic development

The Colorado River Indian Tribes' economy includes light industry, government jobs, recreation, and farming crops like alfalfa, cotton, lettuce, and sorghum. The tribe has rights to use a lot of water from the Colorado River, which is important for the state of Arizona.

The tribe runs BlueWater Resort and Casino, about two miles from downtown Parker. It opened in 1999 and includes a large casino, a hotel, a bingo hall, an indoor water park, a movie theater, and other fun places. The tribe also has a museum and gift shop in Parker, Arizona, showing artworks made by tribal members.

Communities

The Colorado River Indian Tribes have communities in different places. Some of these places are Bluewater, Arizona, Bluewater, California, and Poston, Arizona. The main government office is in Parker, Arizona.

Notable tribal citizens

Some well-known members of the Colorado River Indian Tribes include Jacoby Ellsbury, who played baseball as a center fielder for teams like the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. Another notable person is Veronica Murdock, born in 1944, who served as tribal vice chair and was the first woman president of the National Congress of American Indians.